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355,600 Children
show ADHD traits .. 11.2% of the population of school children in
Australia
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Children from lower
income families have a higher incidence of ADHD
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Children in families
where parents are unemployed have a higher rate of ADHD
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Children from
families that have split have a higher incidence of ADHD
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Children who are
ADHD are more prone to depression, suicidal thoughts, low self esteem,
have trouble keeping friends and are poorly organised.
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ADHD kids are more
liable to drug and alcohol abuse
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ADHD kids are in the
high risk category for getting into trouble with the police
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Undiagnosed ADHD
kids are in the high risk category for attempting suicide
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ADHD kids are more
likely to be targeted in the playground & by teachers
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ADHD kids are likely
to have a parent with a mental health disorder or drug and alcohol
problems
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ADHD kids have a
high incidence of co-morbidity such as OCD (Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder, ODD (Oppositional Defiance Disorder), Anxiety Disorder,
Dyslexia, Depression.
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13 – 17 year olds
are more likely to stop treatment due to peer group pressure and
public perception.
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13 – 17 year olds
are more likely to see a school counsellor
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Only 50% of children
had been seen by a medical practitioner;
even though they presented with the diagnostic criteria for ADHD.
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Only 17% of these
had seen a psychiatrist.
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38% of adolescents
preferred to manage themselves with regards to treatment and not see a
doctor.
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18% of adolescents
thought nothing could help
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There is no
literature in Australia specifically for ADHD teens
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Only a MINORITY of
adolescents with ADHD receive professional help
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The cost of
attending services such as psychologists and psychiatrists was a
problem
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Many did not know
where to get help.
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Many kids never see
a psychologist for follow up treatment.
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Counselling in
school is the service most frequently used by adolescents. Problem
here is counsellors have little training in the intricacies of the
ADHD mind.
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School based
services play a key role in relation to providing help to ADHD kids
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Mental Health
problems contribute to school failure
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Many gifted children
also have ADHD tendencies or are ADHD as well.
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There is little
specialised training regarding the treatment of ADHD kids
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Increased funding
should be made available that helps parents and the children learn
about ADHD and strategies to cope.
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Emphasis should be
placed on early intervention and education.
